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Clear skies draw tourists to Tetulia for Kanchenjunga views

Published : Tuesday, 13 October, 2026 at 7:58 PM

Observer Online Report

Tourists are flocking to Tetulia in Panchagarh as clear skies offer spectacular views of Mount Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest mountain, from northern Bangladesh.

The snow-covered peak has been visible from several areas of Panchagarh, including the banks of the Mahananda River in Tetulia, as the monsoon ends and the winter season approaches. With clouds and fog clearing, visitors can enjoy the distant Himalayan scenery with the naked eye.

The mountain was visible from Panchagarh town and different parts of Tetulia on Tuesday morning. Photos and videos shared on social media have sparked fresh interest among tourists eager to see the mountain.

The most popular viewing spots include the banks of the Mahananda River near the Tetulia Dak Bungalow, the Banglabandha border area and open fields near tea gardens.

Locals said Kanchenjunga can usually be seen from Panchagarh when the sky remains clear between the end of the monsoon and the onset of winter. However, changing weather, clouds and fog often obstruct the view. The snow-covered peak has been visible over the past two days due to favourable weather.

One of the mountain’s distinctive features is the changing colours of its slopes as daylight increases. The peak appears white in the early morning and takes on a golden hue as the day progresses, creating a striking contrast with the blue sky and surrounding mountain ranges.

Although Kanchenjunga can also be seen from Darjeeling’s Tiger Hill in India and several locations in Nepal, viewing it from the plains of Bangladesh offers a different experience. Tetulia has become a popular destination because visitors can see the mountain without crossing the border or using binoculars.

Mohibul Milan, a college student from the C.O. Bazar area of Rangpur, said he had travelled to Tetulia with five friends on motorcycles. They had visited the previous week but could not see the mountain because of fog.

“We came again this year with friends, as we do every year. It is a wonderful experience to enjoy the scenery around Tetulia and see Kanchenjunga in the cool early morning air,” he said.

Faizul Alam, a schoolteacher from Khasipara in Dinajpur, also visited the area with his family. He said they stayed overnight at a relative’s house and saw the mountain early in the morning.

Shafiqul Islam, an easy-bike driver near the Tetulia Dak Bungalow, said visitors began arriving at the riverbank early in the morning. As the day progresses, the mountain often disappears from view, after which tourists visit nearby attractions.

These include tea gardens, orange orchards, the Darjeeling Bridge and the Banglabandha zero point and land port.

Kanchenjunga stands 8,586 metres above sea level and lies on the border between Nepal and India’s Sikkim region.

Despite Tetulia’s tourism potential, locals said the area lacked adequate public and private support. They pointed to the need for better traffic management, parking, cleanliness, safe viewing areas, quality food outlets and sufficient public toilets.

Accommodation is another concern during the peak season. Although the government dak bungalow in Tetulia and the Berong Complex each have two rooms, locals said securing accommodation there was difficult even with bookings. Private hotels also struggle to meet demand when tourist numbers rise.

Locals believe advance accommodation bookings, reliable transport and easily accessible information about attractions could help strengthen the local tourism industry.

Abdul Aziz, a sub-inspector of Tetulia Tourist Police, said the mountain had been visible for the past two days because of clear skies and that tourists were arriving from different parts of the country.

Anwar Hossain, Tetulia upazila nirbahi officer, said tourist police, model police station personnel and the administration were working together to ensure visitors’ safety. Authorities were also trying to address accommodation shortages and arrange evening cultural programmes for tourists.

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